Freeney thinks he can wait out suitors Lard

Douglas LeeMar 29, 2013 9:57 AM

Happy Friday, Broncos fans! According to NFLN's Ian Rapoport, Dwight Freeney is looking for a contract that exceeds the $8.5M in base pay that Osi Umenyiora is scheduled to receive from Atlanta over the next two years.

In addition to Denver, Freeney is said to have interest in joining the Lions and Dolphins, although it's unclear whether that feeling is reciprocated. The ex-Colt is reportedly willing to wait until after the draft to get a deal, but that doesn't tend to be when players get the salaries they have been demanding.

If Freeney is interested in winning, then the choice would appear to be quite clear, and if he's looking at Denver as his landing spot, then can he really expect the Broncos will let the draft pass, and then still be willing to give him $5M+ per year in a contract?

Good luck with that tactic, Dwight.

Broncos

Jason at OTC thinks the structure of Elvis Dumervil's contract means he's less likely to be cut by Baltimore next offseason than he would have been in Denver, which may have factored into his decision to leave.

Jeff Legwold says that, of course, Peyton Manning has some input on player acquisitions, but he's very far from the actual decision points.

Ben Muth studies the ridiculous speed at which Von Miller gets off the ball, using his abuse of Chargers T Jeromey Clary and strip sack of Philip Rivers to evidence it.

David Bruton, Kevin Vickerson, Mitch Unrein, and Malik Jackson will be part of this year's Mile High Salute to Fans Tour, which I think was formerly known as the Broncos Caravan.

News

Old friend Domonique Foxworth, now the NFLPA's president, says the union is preparing players for the inevitable day when someone within their ranks comes out of the closet. Pats TE Rob Gronkowski sort of says he'd be supportive of a gay teammate, while Seattle DE Chris Clemons strangely interprets the possibility as a selfish act (as if someone who's ready to come out is going to wait years and years just for the attention). Gwen Knapp thinks writers who predict players won't react well to a gay teammate are just out of touch.

The Packers and QB Aaron Rodgers are said to be nearing a long-term extension; Dallas and QB Tony Romo are also working toward a new deal, but if they're unable to agree by the end of the 2013 league year, the Cowboys would not be able to franchise him, and Romo would become an unrestricted free agent.

San Diego had reportedly hoped to keep DE Vaughn Martin, but he's instead heading to Miami, where he'll play tackle.

Jacksonville is reportedly not interested in dealing for Seahawks QB Matt Flynn, which makes his potential path to Oakland that much easier.

Kansas City finally hired Brad Childress, reuniting him with former boss Andy Reid, as his senior offensive assistant.

Indytraded DE Clifton Geathers to Philly for FB Stanley Havili; Clifton is the brother of Bengals DE Robert Geathers, Jr., and the nephew of one-time Bronco Jumpy Geathers, best known for his Forklift pass-rush move.

Analysis

Andy Benoit surveys San Diego's roster and finds a dearth of offensive talent, but a solid defensive unit.

Doug Farrar ponders the potential landing spots for this year's top QB prospects, while Greg Cosell discusses what traits give them good chances for success in the NFL, while reminding us that such traits need to be of the tangible variety.

Doug is IAOFM’s resident newsman and spelling czar. Follow him on Twitter @IAOFM

Me too, BM. I break down the film on him and he's playing in another dimension. This is also a kid who's still improving, and that's downright scary.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-03-29 17:55:37

Are you thinking of tack - like as in steering a ship?

Posted by Cain Mahan on 2013-03-29 14:38:29

I agree. The agent's gotta try. A for effort. But I think you're 100% correct. They likely don't have engaged (ie. they have had a meaningful conversation about terms and money) interest from anyone but Denver.

Posted by Super7 on 2013-03-29 13:55:05

Usually the agent at least say teams X, Y and Z are interested in the client. Now, he's resorted to saying Freeney is interested in Miami and Detroit. Sooner or later, he'll realize the deal Osi got in Atlanta is about the best he's going to get...

Posted by Uncle Rico on 2013-03-29 12:57:11

Probably wants too much money.

Posted by Steven Searls on 2013-03-29 12:29:04

I'm curious why Karlos Dansby is still on the market. And a little disappointed we're not taking a look.

Posted by Sam Booker DeWitt on 2013-03-29 12:15:11

So with all this BS from Freeney, why not just sign Abraham?

Posted by thedoctor692 on 2013-03-29 12:02:40

Ugh, someone else already provided me this same lesson a while back. Not sure why it didn't stick. I'll figure that one out eventually, and thanks!

Posted by Douglas Lee on 2013-03-29 11:38:33

I basically agree with you about the "playing for a winner" and "making more money" but in the case, I really think that Freeney will ultimately be more concerned with his legacy. He made a bunch of money playing out his last contract with the Colts. So while I will never say what is too much for a person, I do think Freeney would like to make the HoF. And he won't do that toiling away in Miami or Detroit.I think this may have more to do with Condon. (Freeney's agent)

Posted by DougEngland on 2013-03-29 11:28:35

Lets just ask Peyton to use his new digs for Freeney's retirement party...which is as close as he will get to Mile High with whatever he's smokin....besides, at $5-6 mm we could get a DE and other Vet for what he wants....

Posted by denverkewl on 2013-03-29 11:23:52

I think the odds still say that Freeney ends up in Denver. But it might be a while.

I think his agent's done a good job of drumming up "potential suitors". Detroit makes sense (talented D, 9 guaranteed dome games a year) and so does Miami (most pro athletes aspire to be part of the Miami A-List night life, and hey - they're not awful!).

I think that fans give athletes too much credit when we say things like "doesn't he want to play for a winner?", when I think the standard behavior is almost always to take the most money offered to you, especially when you may be negotiating your last real payday of your life. And I've also hear ex-pro's say that once you win a ring, that the part of you that wants to play for legacy starts to wane in favor of money.

In this scenario, Manning can help to pitch Denver to Freeney up to a certain point, but there comes a point where Freeney's agency says that they believe Freeney's worth more than what Denver thinks he's worth. At that point, Denver has to consider their offer and either put a few more chips in or say take it or leave it, and I think they've done the latter. For now. Denver allegedly offered Doom 6.5M, then $7.5, ultimately landing on $8M before that deal got all f'd up, so recent history suggests that they will negotiate, but only at the closing table.

Freeney would be a Lion or a Phin if either of those teams wanted to pay him more money than Denver's offered. But they haven't. So Freeney & his agency are doing the only thing they can do - try and leverage time and hope for impatience or injury or draft caused desperation.

This may take a while. But if Freeney's still a FA on draft day, I don't think he'll be a Bronco because at that point Denver has to be able to have a draft strategy. And I think they'd hate to have wanted a DE just to not get the one they wanted and to have to pay Freeney more than they wanted which could domino into them cutting valuable depth that they don't want to cut.

Posted by Super7 on 2013-03-29 11:20:04

I would like to see the Broncos sign Winfield just because I admire the guy. You'll never see better run support from a cornerback who's that size. He would have value just for the outstanding example he sets for young players.

Posted by Yahmule on 2013-03-29 11:14:39

"Good luck with that tact, Dwight."

Freeney should try another tack or perhaps another tactic. Tact changes the meaning of the sentence.

The Broncos may wait him out, but only to see if he blinks. He may not. I think the guy made $14 million last year. Maybe he doesn't feel $4 million is worth another season of wear and tear on his body.

Posted by Yahmule on 2013-03-29 11:10:24

That Muth article is a mind blower.

"In the second picture, Miller has stopped to give a head-fake inside against Jeromey Clary. He’s already four yards past the line of scrimmage. That’s obviously further than any Broncos defensive lineman, but since they’re just rushing defensive tackles, it’s not that impressive. But look at the Chargers wide receivers."

Spoiler: the image shows clearly that the Bolts' WRs are no more than a yard down the field. On a pass play.

Von Miller is a Denver Bronco. Two years in and I gotta pinch myself again.

Posted by broncosmontana on 2013-03-29 11:02:18

I say you sign Shaun Phillips to a cheaper deal and let him compete with Ayers for the starting gig. We do need to draft a kid who can rush the passer as well.

Posted by nacaboose on 2013-03-29 10:31:59

I'm over this Freeney stare down. Forget about it! I say we rely on Ayers to do the heavy lifting and draft a kid who can rush the passer.

Posted by Chad Jensen on 2013-03-29 10:23:31

I still can't help but think that the Broncos and Freeney are playing a glorified game of "chicken" and one will blink, and Freeney will end up in Denver. In just makes too much sense for both the team and player.Also, with the great first name you were blessed with, can't believe you didn't make your son a Jr.

Posted by DougEngland on 2013-03-29 10:20:16

I saw on rotoworld that the Broncos are interested in Antoine Winfield? I don't see the need, but he's a good player.

The Redskins are viewed as the favorite, but they need to clear some cap space in order to make it work. The Vikings and Broncos are two other options that have now been mentioned. Denver already has a young stud in Chris Harris covering the slot, along with solid depth on the outside. It's hard to see the fit."